Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov during faceoff

Paulo Costa attempted to get inside Azamat Murzakanov's head during their face-off at UFC 327 fight week proceedings, but the Russian contender met every provocation with a smile and appeared completely unmoved by the theatrics.

Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record and is ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian trains out of Team Borracha and is one of the more aggressive strikers in his weight class, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox puncher has built his reputation almost entirely on forward pressure and heavy hands.

Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," enters UFC 327 with a 16-1 record and sits twelfth in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw represents K Dojo Warrior Tribe and has established himself as a dangerous finisher in the 205-pound division. At five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, he lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and also threatens with takedowns at a rate of 0.55 per fifteen minutes.

Why it matters

• Costa moving up to light heavyweight adds an interesting wrinkle to divisional rankings implications at 205 pounds
• Murzakanov's calm demeanor at the staredown suggests a composed game plan against a fighter known for emotional warfare
• Both men rely primarily on striking, setting up a potentially explosive exchange on fight night at UFC 327
• A win for either contender inside the top fifteen could push them closer to title contention in their respective weight classes